September 22 is World Car-Free day. Surprised? The roots of this day are in the 1970’s and the oil crisis, but it became more popular in the 1990’s, according to Wikipedia. Currently, Bogota has the largest car-free weekday event in the world. It’s also known for it’s weekly Ciclovia, where from 7 AM until 2 PM on Sundays and holidays active transportation takes precedence on a number of major public thoroughfares. Many other cities around the world now hold car-free days, and some cities have expanded into car-free districts for at least part of the day. But even the Dutch, whom we recognize as some of the worlds most cycling-forward citizens, weren’t always so. They staged their first monthly street actions illegally, blocking cars and creating street parties in 1996. They formed an action group, lobbied, and a couple of years later some cities started implementing car-free days. Some advocates claim that over 100 million people in 1,500 cities worldwide now celebrate International Car-Free Day, though on days and in ways of their choice. (Wikipedia)
For more info check out Planet Pulse and the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada which suggests:
Pick another day that’s less hectic for a car-free trip.
Try going car-free for part of the day, like biking to lunch.
Choose one day a week to skip the solo drive.
Set a personal challenge to go car-free at least once a month.
Invite a friend or coworker to join you and make it a shared goal.
They recommend their Club Ride App to their users to help them keep track.
And from Long Island’s car-free day : “people are encouraged to get around without cars and instead ride a train, bus, bicycle, carpool, subway or walk. This year, Long Island will once again join in by celebrating its 13th Annual Car Free Day on Monday, September 22, 2025. Last year, Car Free Day was celebrated in more than 3,100 cities in 50 countries around the world. It’s celebrated in different ways but with the common goal of taking cars off the road. The benefit to society is a day with less traffic congestion, a greener environment and reduced energy use.”
Finally, it’s great to see Texas taking part in the form of Trinity Metro offering free local bus, train, and bike share around Fort Worth for Car Free Day ’25. All around the U.S. other cities are taking part. Maybe one day, it will take root here, too.